UCSB Inks Standout Recruiting Class for 2007

Jun 29, 2006

June 29, 2006

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -
Despite being over seven months away, anticipation for the 2007 UC Santa Barbara women's water polo team is already high, as a talented group of returnees will be joined by arguably the best freshman class in Danielle Altman's tenure as Gaucho head coach.

"These women make up a very skilled group of water polo players and we are pleased to add all of them to our program," said Altman, entering her fifth season in Santa Barbara. "I am excited about the competitive nature, speed and ability that each of these women will bring to UCSB water polo."

Below is a player-by-player look at the Gauchos' eight-member recruiting class for 2007:

Taylor Byrne  Miami, FL  Gulliver Preparatory School
Member of five straight state championship teams which went 147-1 during her varsity career...All-Miami-Dade County First Team selection in both 2005 and 2006, in addition to Third-Team All-American honors as a senior...Also a standout volleyball player, she was one of five nominees for the Miami-Dade County Female Athlete of the Year award in 2006.

Christie Clark  Atherton, CA  Sacred Heart Preparatory School
First Team All-Central Coast Section and All-Western Catholic Athletic League performer as a junior and senior...Tallied 56 goals while leading the Gators to a 30-2 record and sectional semifinal appearance her final season...Honorable mention All-American in 2005...Younger sister of Gaucho senior-to-be ZiZi Clark.

Kelley Fernbacher  Orinda, CA  Miramonte High School
First Team All-Diablo Foothill League honors as a senior in 2005 capped her three-year varsity career...Served as team captain her final season, helping the Lady Mats reach the North Coast Section semifinals...Also a three-year varsity swimmer.

Emily Friedmann  Orinda, CA  Miramonte High School
Garnered Second Team All-Diablo Foothill League acclaim as a senior in 2005...Helped the Lady Mats reach the North Coast Section semifinals and place second in league play...Also received All-DFAL recognition her junior campaign...A North Coast Section CIF Distinguished Scholar Athlete who also lettered four years in swimming.

Katie Kepner  Costa Mesa, CA  Newport Harbor High School
Member of Southern Section Division I championship squad in 2006, garnering Third Team All-CIF recognition...Also a Second Team All-Sea View League honoree as a senior, scoring 34 goals her final campaign...Won two consecutive league titles as a member of the Sailors, who were Division I runner-ups in 2005...A three-year varsity swimmer as well.

Alisha Khan  Moraga, CA  Campolindo High School
First Team All-North Coast Section and All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League performer in 2005, finishing her prep career with a school-record 136 goals...Rattled the back of the cage 80 times as a senior while guiding the Cougars to the NCS quarterfinals...Also a first team all-league recipient in 2003 and 2004...Named to the Contra Costa Times All-East Bay/North Bay Team her final two seasons.

Chelsea Lyman  Costa Mesa, CA  Corona del Mar High School
Played on three CIF Division II Southern Section championship teams, which also captured a trio of Pacific Coast League titles...Named Second Team All-CIF as a senior in 2006, when she tallied 17 goals, 12 assists and 15 steals.

Elizabeth Rouleau  Los Altos, CA  St. Francis High School
Capped prep career with First Team honors from the Central Coast Section and West Catholic Athletic League in 2005...Scored 22 goals in six league matches - tops among all players - and also garnered second team all-area acclaim from the San Jose Mercury News...2004 saw her earn Second Team All-WCAL accolades.